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I. Cultural Property Agreement with the U.S.

On January 14, 2014, the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Bulgaria entered into a bilateral agreement (PDF), or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to protect categories archaeological material ranging in date from 7,500 B.C. to approximately 1750 A.D., and categories of ethnological material ranging in date from 681 A.D. to approximately 1750 A.D.

Marcie B. Ries and Minister of Culture Dr. Petar Stoyanovich signed the agreement at the National Museum of History in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The import restrictions are intended to reduce the incentive for pillage and trafficking in cultural objects. Reports from Bulgaria describe pillage of archaeological sites as a phenomenon plaguing the entire country, especially regions that are sparsely populated and have high concentrations of sites, such as Central and Southern Bulgaria, and along the Danube River. It is also reported that churches and other religious institutions are suffering losses of ecclesiastical material.

The agreement is consistent with the recommendation of the State Department’s Cultural Property Advisory Committee.

III. Categories of Objects Subject to Import Restriction

The categories of archaeological materials covered by the import restriction include objects made of stone, metal, bone, ivory, textiles, wood, glass, parchment, painting, mosaics, and other material. The restricted archaeological material represents the Neolithic period (7500 B.C.) through approximately 1750 A. D., and the restricted ecclesiastical ethnological material represents Bulgaria's Middle Ages (681 A.D.) through approximately 1750 A.D.

A detailed description of the object types covered by this agreement may be found in the Designated List (PDF), published in the Federal Register by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the Treasury.

IV. Import Restrictions

Objects from categories described in the Designated List may enter the U.S. only if they are accompanied by an export permit issued by the appropriate authority in the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, or by verifiable documentation indicating that they left Bulgaria prior to the effective date of the restriction: January 15, 2014.

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Promoting Mutual Understanding

Our Mission

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly and peaceful relations. We accomplish this mission through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges that engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and rising leaders in the United States and more than 160 countries.